It isn't semantics. The higher resolution textures are only one part of the zone revamps. No one went to Darkshore and Arathi just because the stuff was better graphically. They went because of the gameplay which is the same basic formula that is being used in Icecrown for the pre-patch. Arathi and Darkshore (some of Darkshore) use the old assets for mobs and stuff.
So no it wasn't entirely new graphics and assets. It was just better quality graphics and updated assets but not new. Except for the parts that were modified for story which happens heavily in Darkshore. Which is what I stated in my original post.